Briefings

California Employee Benefits Legislative Summary: August 2019 Update

August 15, 2019

The California Legislature just returned from recess on August 12, 2019, which makes this a good time to take stock of the bills we have been watching this year. This Briefing provides updated summaries (for those bills that have been significantly amended) and statuses on all the bills we are watching for employee benefit clients this year.

Upon returning on August 12, the Legislature will have one more month to consider bills before adjourning for the year. The legislative deadlines for the rest of the year are as follows:

August 30—Last day for fiscal committees to meet and report bills. Bills that are held in the “Suspense File” must be voted out of the committee by August 30th to proceed.

September 6—Last day to amend a bill

September 13—Last day for any bill to be passed

October 13—Last day for the Governor to sign or veto bills passed on or before September 13 and in the Governor’s possession after September 13 (typically, hundreds of bills)

Unless otherwise specified, bills signed by the Governor go into effect on January 1, 2020. Bills that get through the committee process on time and but do not make it to the Governor this year become “two-year bills,” which can be considered by the Legislature again when it reconvenes on January 6, 2020.

Keenan & Associates is not a law firm and no opinion, suggestion, or recommendation of the firm or its employees shall constitute legal advice. Clients are advised to consult with their own attorney for a determination of their legal rights, responsibilities and liabilities, including the interpretation of any statute or regulation, or its application to the clients’ business activities.